Hook for load-carrying device

ABSTRACT

An improved hook for a device for carrying loads employing a length of load-supporting line having an enlarged ferrule at one end, said hook including a support member forming a pocket for supporting the ferrule, and remote controlled selectively operable release means for raising the ferrule out of the pocket to drop the load.

United States Patent Walker E. Drayton York, Pa.

July 8, 1969 Jan. 1 1, 1972 American Chain & Cable Company, Inc. New York, N.Y.

[72] Inventor [21 App]. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] BOOK FOR LOAD-CARRYING DEVICE 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 294/75, 294/33 [5 1] Int. Cl B66c l/l4 [50] Field of Search 294/75, 76, 83, 84, 78, 82, 85, 81

[ 56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,813,744 ll/l957 Hutchinson 3,l04,909 9/ l 963 Walker 294/75 3,186,055 6/1965 Modrey 294/85 3,533,655 10/1970 Harley 294/83 2,729,496 9/1952 Jones 294/83 2,964,347 l2/l960 Mitchell 294/83 Primary Examiner Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams ABSTRACT: An improved hook for a device for carrying loads employing a length of load-supporting line having an enlarged ferrule at one end, said hook including a support member forming a pocket for supporting the ferrule, and remote controlled selectively operable release means for raising the ferrule out of the pocket to drop the load.

PATENIED mu 1 1972 SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR Walker E. Droyton BY 7 957 A 4 Z'TONEYS I-IOOK FOR LOAD-CARRYING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many different types of carrying devices have been developed forhoist line equipment for handling logs, pipes, boards and other materials and articles, either individually or in bulk. Loads of this type are usually placed in a sling formed from a length of rope or chain having an enlarged ferrule removably attached to a hoisting hook. The hoisting hook is in turn suspended from a hoist line. Typically, just one end of the load-supporting line is provided with a ferrule for removable attachment to the hoisting hook; and after release, the load falls away and the line may be removed by raising the hoist line to which the other end is attached. Alternatively, both ends of the load-supporting line may be provided with ferrules, both of which are removably attached to the hoisting hook.

In order to release the load when the hoisting operation is completed, the devices of the prior art are provided with suitable releasing mechanisms which permit detachment of the ferrule and of the load-supporting line from the hoisting hook. For instance, in one known construction, the release mechanism is manually operable and includes a lanyard which is attached to the load-supporting line near the hoisting hook. The lanyard is adapted to be pulled by an operator to remove the ferrule end of the load-supporting line from the hoisting hook to thereby release the load. This type of construction requires that an operator be positioned near the point of release of the load. However, the loads being carried are usually quite dangerous in the sense that they are heavy and comprised of a number of pieces, such as logs, which upon release, tend to fall away in an uncontrolled manner. This creates an unsafe condition which could result in serious injury to the operator standing nearby.

In other constructions, the ferruled end of the load-supporting line is automatically released upon impact of the load with the ground or upon impact of the hoisting hook with the load after the latter has been placed on the ground. Devices of this type avoid the necessity of a workman being at the point of release of the load; but they present certain disadvantages due to their automatic releasing features. There is, for example, the danger of premature releasing of the load resulting from the accidental impact of the load or hoisting hook with surrounding objects. This may occur as the load is being transferred from one place to the other or as it is being lowered onto its resting place. Also, these automatic devices have a tendency to jam; and to unlock them, a workmanis required. With a malfunctioning device, any unexpected release of the load is likely to cause injury to the workman.

The risks involved in using prior art devices of the type described have been somewhat reduced by providing release mechanisms which are electronically controlled by an operator situated at a remote location to the immediate point of release of the load. Presently available release mechanisms in this category are, however, generally constructed of highly complex and sophisticated components, such as electromagnets, solenoids, springs, or combinations thereof, and hence are relatively expensive to produce and require constant maintenance to insure dependable operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an improved hook structure is provided for carrying devices which are used for transporting loads from place to place. The improved hook structure includes a release means which is selectively operable by remote control to release the load at its intended resting place.

Generally, the carrying device includes a spreader bar frame for carrying two lengths of load-supporting line each of which is formed into a sling. Each line has an enlarged ferrule at one end which is removably attached to the improved hook structure of the present invention. Each hook structure includes a support member connected to the spreader bar and LII has a pair of recessed seating surfaces which together define a pocket for supporting the ferruled end of the line. The seating surfaces are disposed in spaced-apart relationship at a distance permitting passage of the load-supporting line therebetween.

In order to release the load when desired, remote controlled release means mounted on the support member is provided. The release means is selectively operable to raise the ferrule out of the pocket so as to release the attached load and includes a lifting member for moving the ferruled end of the line upward to a position above the pocket and an ejecting member operable to move the raised ferrule laterally clear of the pocket.

Provision is also made to prevent accidental release of the ferrule from the pocket before the release means has been intentionally activated. For this purpose, a latch is mounted on the support member for movement between a first position in the path of upward movement of the ferrule and a second position out of the path of upward movement of the ferrule.

Actuation of the release means is effected by a drive mechanism attached to the spreader bar of the carrying device. The drive mechanism is adapted to receive a specific radio signal from a remote transmitter to effect its operation. A cable connects the drive mechanism to the lifting member of the release means whereupon actuation of the drive mechanism, causes pulling of the cable to raise the lifting member relative to the support member of the release means. The cable is attached to the lifting member through a lost motion connection and includes a latch releasing member which is operable to move the latch out of the path of movement of the ferrule prior to raising of the ferrule as caused by upward movement of the lifting member.

With the construction of the present invention, the ferrule of the load-supporting line cannot be released until a control signal is received by the drive mechanism controlling actuation of the release means. An important advantage thereby obtained is that the load will not be released upon impact when its lowered to its intended resting place nor .will it be prematurely released by impact of the spreader bar frame, support member or associated structure with surrounding objects. In addition, the release mechanism requires no operator at the point of release of the load. Instead, the load may be released by an operator standing at a safe distance from the point of release.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an elevation view of the lifting apparatus incorporating the improved hook structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the improved book structure of the present invention with certain parts removed to show the internal structure thereof;

FIG. 4-6 are views of the hook similar to that shown in FIG. 3 depicting progressive stages in the operation thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially in cross section, of the remote control drive mechanism used for operating the improved hook in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved load-carrying device of the present invention generally includes a spreader bar frame member 1, at each end of which the opposite ends of a load-supporting line 2 are connected. As shown in the drawings, the spreader bar frame I is provided with a hole I through which the end of a hoist line may be connected.

One end of each load-supporting line is permanently connected to a coupling member 3 which is in turn pivotally suspended from the spreader bar by way of a link member 4. As seen from FIG. 2, the coupling member 3 is pivotally connected at one end of the link for movement about a support pin 5 while the other end of the link is pivotally connected to the spreader bar for movement about a support pin 6 extending in a direction perpendicular to the support pin 5. The opposite ends of the support pin 6 are mounted in support plates 7 and 8 forming part of the spreader bar frame.

The other end of each load-supporting line is removably attached to the spreader bar by way of the improved hook structure 9 of the present invention. This end of the load-supporting line is provided with an enlarged ferrule 10 which is adapted to be carried in a pocket support member 11 formed by the structure of the hook 9. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support member includes a pair of recessed seating surfaces 12 disposed in spaced-apart relationship by a distance permitting passage of the load-supporting line therebetween.

The ferrule may be removed from its supported position within the pocket when desired to drop the load attached to the other end of the load-supporting line. For this purpose, selectively operable release means for raising the ferrule out of the pocket is provided. This means includes a lifting member 13 for moving the ferrule upward to a position above the pocket and an ejecting member 14 for moving the ferrule laterally clear of the pocket when in its raised position.

"The lifting member is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the support member 11 in a bearing recess 15 formed in the support member for this purpose. The lifting member has a ferrule engaging portion 16 which upon upward movement, contacts the under surface of the ferrule to raise the same out of the pocket.

The ejecting member 14 is supported by a pin 17 for rotational movement in a plane lying parallel to the lifting member. In the presently preferred embodiment, it includes a first arm 18 adapted to engage the ferrule upon rotation thereof and a second arm 19 forming an angle with the first arm and normally extending in a direction generally transverse to the directional movement of the lifting member. Actuating means for the ejecting member is mounted on the lifting member for effecting rotation thereof after the ferrule has been raised to a position above the pocket. This means comprises an outwardly projecting pin 20 positioned on the lifting 'member and adapted to coact with the second arm 19 of the ejecting member to effect rotation thereof upon upward movement of the lifting member. The lifting member also carries a second pin 21 positioned to contact the end surface of the second arm 19 upon downward movement of the lifting member thereby rotating the ejecting mechanism back to its initial position after the ferrule has been laterally ejected from the pocket and the lifting member lowered.

In order to prevent accidental dislodgement of the ferrule from the pocket, lock means in the form of a latch 22 is mounted on the support member. The latch is adapted to move between the first position in the path of upward movement of the ferrule and a second position out of the path of upward movement of the ferrule is provided. To permit this movement, the latch is pivoted on a pin 23 projecting outwardly from the support member.

For the purpose of efiecting movement of the lifting member relative to the support member there is provided a control cable 24 connected to the lifting member by a lost motion means generally designated at 25. The lost motion means includes a latch-releasing means for moving the safety latch out of the path of movement of the ferrule prior to raising the lifting member. The lost motion means is positioned on the upper portion of the lifting member adjacent the safety latch and includes a vertical slot 25' in which a connecting pin 26, attached to the end fitting 27 of the control cable 24, is adapted to move. The pin 26 defines the latch release means previously mentioned; and with the lifting member in its lowermost position as shown in FIG. 3, the pin 26 is seated in the lower portion of the slot 25 with the beveled surface of the safety latch resting thereon. In this position, rotation of the safety latch in a clockwise direction is prevented; and thus, the ferrule seated in the pocket is effectively prevented from becoming prematurely dislodged.

In operation, the control cable is retracted upwardly to cause the pin 26 to move upwardly in slot 25' thereby rotating the safety latch 22 counterclockwise into an open position as shown in FIG. 4. Continued upward movement of the control cable causes the pin 26 to engage in the upper end of the slot 25' which, in turn, causes the lifting member I3 to begin its upward movement in the bearing recess 15 of the support member. This movement causes the ferrule engaging portion 16 of the lifting member to contact the undersurface of the ferrule thereby raising the ferrule out of the pocket. When the ferrule has been raised to a position above the pocket as shown in FIG. 5, the actuating pin 20 engages the second arm 19 of the ejecting member 14 causing the first arm 18 to rotate counterclockwise about the pivot pin I7 and into engagement with the ferrule forcing it laterally clear of the pocket in the manner indicated in FIG. 6.

As the ferruled ends of the two supporting lines drop away from the associated pocket hooks, the load carried thereby is released. After the load has been released, the load-supporting lines may be retrieved by simply pulling the carrying device away from the point of deposit of the load. Since the other ends of the load-supporting lines are connected to the carrying device via the coupling members 3, they are never completely released from the carrying device.

After releasing of the load and retrieving of the loose ends of the load-supporting lines, the device is ready for attachment to another load. After the supporting lines are wrapped about the load, the ferruled ends are easily positioned within the supporting pockets of the hooks with the lifting member 13 of each hook being disposed in its lowermost position within its bearing recess 15. Downward movement of the lifting member causes the pin 21 connected thereto to strike the end portion of the arm 19 of the ejecting member to move it back to its original position. Also, downward movement of the lifting member moves the pin 26 from its engagement with the safety latch 22 thus permitting the latch to move to its original locking position either by gravity or under the influence of suitable springs.

For controlling operation of the release means of the improved hook structure of the present invention, a remote controlled drive mechanism, generally designated at 29 in FIG. I, is provided. This drive mechanism is constructed for imparting reciprocal movement to the controlled cables 24 attached to the lifting members of the release means. As shown in FIG. I, the drive mechanism is fixed to the spreader bar frame between the support plates 30. The remote controlled drive mechanism is responsive to a predetermined radio signal; and for this purpose, the drive mechanism is enclosed within a electrically transparent housing 31. FIG. 7 shows the general structure of the drive mechanism all of which is positioned within the housing structure 31. In construction, the drive mechanism includes two ball nut and screw assemblies which operate to impart simultaneous longitudinal movement to each of the control cables 24. A powerpack 32, including batteries of the rechargeable type such as silver cadmium, is pro-' vided for operating the motor 33 of the drive mechanism. A receiver 34 and antenna 35 are provided for actuating the powerpack. The receiver is of conventional construction having a highly selective and coded signal and is adapted to pick up such signal from a remote location.

The drive motor 33 is a permanent magnet direct current type and is connected through suitable gear 36 to two ball nut and screw assemblies 37, 38 of conventional construction. Upon driving of the motor in response to a signal received by the receiver 34, the ball nut and screw assemblies will be actuated to cause reciprocal movement of the cables attached thereto. Suitable switches, such as shown at 39, are provided for controlling longitudinal movement of the assemblies.

The above description of the present invention has been made with respect to the presently preferred embodiment; however, it is to be noted that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims:

lclaim:

In a load-carrying device having a length of load-supporting line with an enlarged ferrule at one end, a frame structure and a hook member attached to said frame structure for releasably holding the ferrule, the improvement wherein said hook comprises:

a support member having a pair of recessed seating surfaces spaced apart to form a pocket, for supporting the ferrule therein, said seating surfaces being spaced apart at a distance permitting passage of the load-supporting line therebetween;

selectively operable release means mounted on the support member for raising the ferrule out of the pocket to release the line therefrom;

. lock means mounted on the support member for movement from a first position in a path of upward movement of the ferrule to a second position out of the path of upward movement of the ferrule upon actuation of said selectively operable release means;

actuating means attached to the release means for lifting the latter relative to the support member; andlost motion means connecting said actuating means to said release means and including:

1. movable lock-releasing means for moving said lock means to said second position prior to lifting of said release means.

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the lock 11168115 comprises:

a latch movably mounted on the support member and having:

1 a first portion extending over the ferrule when seated in the pocket; and

2. a second portion disposed in the path of movement of said lock-releasing means for engagement thereby to move said latch to said second position.

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said release means includes:

. The improvement according to claim 3 wherein:

said selectively operable release means includes remotecontrolled drive means attached to said frame structure for raising said lifting member; and

. said actuating means attached to the lifting member comprises a cable having one end attached to said lost motion means and its other end attached to said remote-controlled drive means. The improvement according to claim 4 wherein:

said remote-controlled drive means is responsive to predetermined radio signal causing actuation thereof to pull said cable in an upward direction to lift said lifting member.

6. In a load-carrying device having a length of load-support- 5 ing line with an enlarged ferrule at one end, a frame structure and a hook member attached to said frame structure for releasably holding the ferrule, the improvement wherein said hook comprises:

a. a support member having a pair of recessed seating surfaces spaced apart to form a pocket for supporting the ferrule therein, said seating surfaces being spaced apart at a distance permitting passage of the load-supporting line therebetween; selectively operable release means mounted on the sup- 5 port member for raising the ferrule out of the pocket to release the line therefrom, said release means including:

1. a lifting member for moving the ferrule upward to a position above the pocket,

2. an ejecting member for moving the raised ferrule laterally clear of the ocket, 3. cam means mounte on the lifting member for engaging against and moving the ejecting member laterally into engagement with the ferrule after the ferrule has been raised to a position above the pocket; lock means comprising a latch movably mounted on the support for movement from a first position in a path of upward movement of the ferrule to a second position out of the path of upward movement of the ferrule upon actuation of said selectively operable release means, said latch having: 1. a first portion extending over the ferrule when seated in the pocket, and 2. a second portion disposed at a predetermined location when said ferrule is seated in the pocket; and movable lock-releasing means movable along a path intersecting said predetermined location for moving said latch to said second position prior to lifting of said release means.

7. The improvement according to claim 6 wherein the ejecting member comprises:

a. a first arm adapted to be rotated into engagement with the ferrule moving the ferrule laterally clear of the pocket; and

b. a second arm coacting with said cam means to rotate the first arm into engagement with the ferrule.

8. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said selectively operable release means includes:

a. remote-controlled drive means attached to said frame structure for raising said lifting member.

9. The improvement according to claim 6 wherein:

a. the movable lock-releasing means is mounted for movement on said lifting member into engagement with said latch. 

1. In a load-carrying device having a length of load-supporting line with an enlarged ferrule at one end, a frame structure and a hook member attached to said frame structure for releasably holding the ferrule, the improvement wherein said hook comprises: a. a support member having a pair of recessed seating surfaces spaced apart to form a pocket, for supporting the ferrule therein, said seating surfaces being spaced apart at a distance permitting passage of the load-supporting line therebetween; b. selectively operable release means mounted on the support member for raising the ferrule out of the pocket to release the line therefrom; c. lock means mounted on the support member for movement from a first position in a path of upward movement of the ferrule to a second position out of the path of upward movement of the ferrule upon actuation of said selectively operable release means; d. actuating means attached to the release means for lifting the latter relative to the support member; and e. lost motion means connecting said actuating means to said release means and including:
 1. movable lock-releasing means for moving said lock means to said second position prior to lifting of said release means.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the lock means comprises: a. a latch movably mounted on the support member and having:
 2. a second portion disposed in the path of movement of said lock-releasing means for engagement thereby to move said latch to said second position.
 2. a second portion disposed at a predetermined location when said ferrule is seated in the pocket; and d. movable lock-releasing means movable along a path intersecting said predetermined location for moving said latch to said second position prior to lifting of said release means.
 2. an ejecting member for moving the raised ferrule laterally clear of the pocket,
 3. cam means mounted on the lifting member for engaging against and moving the ejecting member laterally into engagement with the ferrule after the ferrule has been raised to a position above the pocket; c. lock means comprising a latch movably mounted on the support for movement from a first position in a path of upward movement of the ferrule to a second position out of the path of upward movement of the ferrule upon actuation of said selectively operable release means, said latch having:
 3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said release means includes: a. a lifting member for moving the ferrule upward to a position above the pocket; b. an ejecting member for moving the raised ferrule laterally clear of the pocket; and c. cam means mounted on the lifting member for engaging against and moving the ejecting member laterally into engagement with the ferrule after the ferrule has been raised to a position above the pocket.
 4. The improvement according to claim 3 wherein: a. said selectively operable release means includes remote-controlled drive means attached to said frame structure for raising said lifting member; and b. said actuating means attached to the lifting member comprises a cable having one end attached to said lost motion means and its other end attached to said remote-controlled drive means.
 5. The improvement according to claim 4 wherein: a. said remote-contrOlled drive means is responsive to predetermined radio signal causing actuation thereof to pull said cable in an upward direction to lift said lifting member.
 6. In a load-carrying device having a length of load-supporting line with an enlarged ferrule at one end, a frame structure and a hook member attached to said frame structure for releasably holding the ferrule, the improvement wherein said hook comprises: a. a support member having a pair of recessed seating surfaces spaced apart to form a pocket for supporting the ferrule therein, said seating surfaces being spaced apart at a distance permitting passage of the load-supporting line therebetween; b. selectively operable release means mounted on the support member for raising the ferrule out of the pocket to release the line therefrom, said release means including:
 7. The improvement according to claim 6 wherein the ejecting member comprises: a. a first arm adapted to be rotated into engagement with the ferrule moving the ferrule laterally clear of the pocket; and b. a second arm coacting with said cam means to rotate the first arm into engagement with the ferrule.
 8. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said selectively operable release means includes: a. remote-controlled drive means attached to said frame structure for raising said lifting member.
 9. The improvement according to claim 6 wherein: a. the movable lock-releasing means is mounted for movement on said lifting member into engagement with said latch. 